Palmetto Ridge, Gulf Coast high school choirs learn on stage at Carnegie Hall

Students from Palmetto Ridge High School in Naples rehearse for their performance at Carnegie Hall on Monday, April 9, 2018.

The North Naples Mixed Chorus, made up of students from Palmetto Ridge and Gulf Coast high schools, performs during the CODA Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 9, 2018.(Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com)

Standing on stage in front of 2,800 red velvet chairs beneath soaring gold-plated arches Monday, Palmetto Ridge High School senior Meaghan Lake couldn’t believe she was performing with her classmates and other choir members from Gulf Coast High School at New York City’s Carnegie Hall.

“It was surreal,” she said. “I don’t think any experience will ever, ever, ever top it.”

About 80 students from the two choirs have been in New York since Saturday for the CODA Choral Festival for high school choirs, a chance for them to hone their skills by working with experts and getting judges' feedback. The choir members helped raise the money to attend the festival and receive the instruction.

Both Palmetto and Gulf Coast’s choirs have on numerous occasions traveled for performances, such as to Busch Gardens and Disney Springs, but this is the first time they’ve traveled out of Florida.

Though she’s grateful for the opportunity, Lake, 17, said the experience was about much more than performing in a world-renowned venue.

Ever since her father’s accident in 2011, singing has been an escape.

Her father — then the family’s sole breadwinner — fell off a 30-foot scaffolding and broke multiple bones. For months he was in and out of the hospital as he underwent nine surgeries.

Her family began relying on others for financial support while her mom cared for her dad and searched for a job.

When her parents divorced two years later, Lake said, she had to be strong for her little sister and act like things were OK. But at choir practice, she felt free.

“It just gives you a chance to let go and just be what you want,” she said. “It gives me something that I know I can believe in and have hope in.”

Lake said choir has been the one constant source of joy. It helps that many of the songs her choir sings have themes of hope, she said.

A member of the North Naples Mixed Chorus smiles as the students conclude their performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 9, 2018. (Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com)

One of the songs her choir sang Monday at Carnegie Hall was “I Have Loved the Stars Too Fondly” by Heather Sorenson.

“Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light,” they sang. “I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.”

“Everyone can relate to that song,” Lake said. “I was really emotional knowing how much it means — and then to be able to sing it here.”

The audience of about 200 appeared equally moved.

Gulf Coast parent Bill Pembleton, who flew to New York to watch his daughter Holly perform, said the performance was “unbelievable.”

About 20 minutes after the concert, he was still emotional from the experience.

“I’m not much of a music person, but to hear them sing brings tears to your eyes,” he said.

Watching his 16-year-old daughter perform on the same stage that has hosted so many talented, famous performers was especially memorable, he said.

Like many students, Holly Pembleton, a sophomore, said the experience was nerve-wracking. They couldn’t believe they had just performed at Carnegie Hall.

“I could feel my heart beating in my head,” Holly Pembleton said. But her nerves quickly faded as she began singing.

Gulf Coast sophomore Bralea Rolander, 16, said she was still shaking.

“It felt like my heart was in my toes,” she said. “My head started spinning. I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is not real.’”

A day before performing at Carnegie Hall, about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs rehearsing and doing a private clinic with Heather Buchanan (center), professor of music, director of choral activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in New York on Sunday, April 8, 2018.(Photo: Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com)

After their performance, the students hopped on a bus to Little Italy for dinner, then headed to Broadway to catch a performance of "The Phantom of the Opera." Tomorrow they plan to see the Statue of Liberty and tour the 9-11 Memorial before catching a flight back to Florida.

The students arrived Saturday to make time to visit New York’s main tourist attractions including Rockefeller Center, Times Square and Central Park.

On Sunday the students attended a rehearsal led by choir clinician Heather Buchanan. Buchanan, a music professor and director of choral activities at Montclair State University, helped smooth the students’ transitions, improve their enunciation and increase their on-stage energy.

“Pretend like it’s a theater and you’re actors,” she told them. “Don’t text it to me, sing!”

Buchanan also gave guidance to Palmetto Ridge and Gulf Coast choir directors Lauren Pardee and Tara Buonamici, who conduct the students.

“It’s not about pretty hands,” Buchanan said. “It’s about the courage to be honest and vulnerable.”

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The North Naples Mixed Chorus, made up of students from Palmetto Ridge and Gulf Coast high schools, performs during the CODA Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 9, 2018.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com

The North Naples Mixed Chorus, made up of students from Palmetto Ridge and Gulf Coast High Schools, perform in the CODA Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 9, 2018.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com

The North Naples Mixed Chorus, made up of students from Palmetto Ridge and Gulf Coast High Schools, perform in the CODA Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 9, 2018.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com

The North Naples Mixed Chorus, made up of students from Palmetto Ridge and Gulf Coast High Schools, perform in the CODA Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 9, 2018.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com

The North Naples Mixed Chorus, made up of students from Palmetto Ridge and Gulf Coast High Schools, perform in the CODA Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 9, 2018.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com

Director Tara Buonamici bows after the North Naples Mixed Chorus perform their first number, "I have loved the stars too fondly," during a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 9, 2018.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com

Lauren Pardee, right, applauds for her fellow director, Tara Buonamici, as she enters the stage for the North Naples Mixed Chorus' final song at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 9, 2018.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com

The North Naples Mixed Chorus, made up of students from Palmetto Ridge and Gulf Coast High Schools, perform in the CODA Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 9, 2018.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com

The North Naples Mixed Chorus, made up of students from Palmetto Ridge and Gulf Coast High Schools, perform in the CODA Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 9, 2018.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com

“They got ownership of it quickly,” she said. “Giving them the tools to be more expressive artists, I think that it really helps their self-esteem. You hear the difference and you know that this is something that’s important to them.”

In addition to “I Have Loved the Stars Too Fondly,” Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge performed two solo pieces: “Oceans and Stars” by Amy Bernon and “The Word was God” by Rosephayne Powell. They joined two other choirs, Wallkill Valley Advanced Choir from New Jersey and Roslyn High School Chamber Singers from New York, to perform "In Remembrance" by Jeffrey Ames and "The Promise of Peace" by Laura and Jeffrey Cobb.

The Cobbs wrote the piece especially for the festival and attended the performance.

Jeffrey Cobb, who also composed the piece, said the students sounded wonderful.

“To be on stage at Carnegie Hall, it’s life-affirming for these kiddos,” he said. “I love their energy. You can tell they’re getting fantastic instruction at home.”

As for Lake, she said she hopes the performance left an impact on the audience.

“I know that it can change someone’s life in that moment, and that means a lot to me,” she said.

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A day before performing at Carnegie Hall, about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs rehearsing and doing a private clinic with Heather Buchanan (center), professor of music, director of choral activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in New York on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs including Sawyer True (L) and Christian Zeighler (R, in green) of Palmetto Ridge High rehearsing and doing a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs rehearsing and doing a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, Andrew Leon Sanchez (center) of Palmetto Ridge High lays down on the floor as he checks his cell phone before about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs rehearse and do a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, Lauren Pardee, Choir Director (of Palmetto Ridge High) directs the students to sit in particular seats before about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs rehearse and do a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs including Meaghan Lake (2nd from L) of Palmetto Ridge High, rehearses and does a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs rehearsing and doing a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, Tara Buonamici, Choir Director (of Gulf Coast High) conducts as about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs rehearse and do a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs, sing as Lauren Pardee, Choir Director (of Palmetto Ridge High) conducts before the rehearsal and doing a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs rehearsing and doing a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan (L), Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, Isabella Trullenque (center) of Palmetto Ridge High lays down on the floor and relaxes before about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs rehearse and do a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs rehearsing and doing a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan (L), Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs including Daniela Soto (center) of Palmetto Ridge High, rehearses and does a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

A day prior to performing at Carnegie Hall, about 80 students from the Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge High School choirs rehearsing and doing a private clinic with Dr. Heather Buchanan (R), Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, at Westin in Times Square in NYC on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com